CHLM-FM Rouyn-Noranda – New transmitters in Lebel-sur-Quévillon and Senneterre

The Commission approves the applications by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) to amend the broadcasting licence for the French-language radio programming undertaking CHLM-FM Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec, to operate FM transmitters in Lebel-sur-Quévillon (2017-0163-1) and Senneterre (2017-0154-0) to rebroadcast the programming of its national, French-language network service Ici Radio-Canada Première. The new FM transmitters will replace the low-power AM transmitters CBF-3 Lebel-sur-Quévillon and CBF-1 Senneterre.

The new transmitter in Lebel-sur-Quévillon will operate at 94.9 MHz (channel 235LP) with an effective radiated power (ERP) of 50 watts and an effective height of antenna above average terrain (EHAAT) of 12.2 metres.

The licensee indicated that the antenna will be co-located with the new FM rebroadcasting transmitter that will replace the AM transmitter CBMK Lebel-sur-Quévillon belonging to its English-language network Radio One. The licensee stated that the change in installations reflects its commitment to provide an FM service in order to improve the quality of the signal and combine the services of Ici Radio-Canada Première and Radio One on the same antenna in Lebel-sur-Quévillon.

The new transmitter in Senneterre will operate at 95.9 MHz (channel 240A1) with an ERP of 115 watts and an EHAAT of 3.8 metres.

The CBC stated that the antenna will be co-located with the new FM rebroadcasting transmitter that will replace the AM transmitter CBMM Senneterre belonging to its English-language network Radio One. The CBC added that the change in installations reflects its commitment to provide an FM service in order to improve the quality of the signal and combine the services of Ici Radio-Canada Première and Radio One on the same antenna in Senneterre.

The Commission received a comment from an individual regarding the two applications, to which the licensee replied. The public record relating to each application can be found on the Commission’s website at www.crtc.gc.ca or by using the application numbers provided above.

In regard to the rebroadcasting transmitter for Lebel-sur-Quévillon, the intervener questioned the relevance of converting CBF-3 to FM rather than simply increasing its power. In regard to the transmitter for Senneterre, the intervener questioned the appropriateness of converting CBF-1 to the FM band if it must remain low-power. It added that CHLM-FM-1 Amos/Val d’Or, a rebroadcasting transmitter for CHLM-FM, already covers the area. The intervener suggested that if improving the signal quality of CHLM-FM-1 was not possible, it would be more useful to increase CBF-3 Senneterre’s transmitter power to better serve the Réserve faunique de La Vérendrye and the outfitting industry operating to the east of Senneterre.

The CBC replied that the proposed technical parameters for the new FM transmitters will considerably improve the signal quality in Lebel-sur-Quévillon and Senneterre. The CBC also stated that it had done field strength measurements of the CBMN-FM Malartic signal that demonstrated that the signal quality was not sufficient to replace CBMM.

Pursuant to section 22(1) of the Broadcasting Act, this authority will only be effective when the Department of Industry (the Department) notifies the Commission that its technical requirements have been met and that broadcasting certificates will be issued.

Given that the technical parameters for the Lebel-sur-Quévillon transmitter approved in this decision are for an unprotected low-power FM transmitter, the Commission reminds the licensee that it will have to select another frequency if the Department so requires.

The transmitters must be operational at the earliest possible date and in any event no later than 24 months from the date of this decision, unless a request for an extension of time is approved by the Commission before 17 August 2019. In order to ensure that such a request is processed in a timely manner, it should be submitted in writing at least 60 days before that date.